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This 1953 newspaper article from the Greenfield Recorder-Gazette in Greenfield, Massachusetts, describes the Russian émigré Paul S. Primov as "one of Greenfield, Massachusetts's most unusual businessmen." Dissatisfied with the slow photographic enlargement process in use up to the early 1930's, he invented what is believed to be the first production rapid projection printer for the mass production of photographic enlargements. After operating factories in Cambridge, Massachusetts and France in the early 30's, Primov established The American Photographic Appliance Corporation (APAC) with facilities in Greenfield and Shelburne, Massachusetts. APAC rivaled competitors Eastman Kodak and Pako Corporation.